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TRG names Keating, Faulkner to drive Porche 911 GT3 Cup in ALMS

January 16, 2013

Ben Keating and Brian Faulkner will pilot TRG's entry in the GT Challenge class of the American Le Mans Series. Photo by ALMS

The Racer's Group (TRG) announced on Thursday the team's 2013 driver lineup of Ben Keating and two-time American Le Mans Series race winner Damien Faulkner. Two two will drive a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for Kevin Buckler's team, which finished runner-up in the GT Challenge championship of the ALMS,

Craig Stanton, another past ALMS race-winner in a Porsche, will join the pair for races at Sebring and Petit Le Mans.

"Ben and Damien are going to be a lethal combo here,” Buckler said. “You add in a brand-new Porsche GT3, Craig Stanton as the third driver in the long races, some of the best crew in all of GT racing, and of course, TRG; and I believe we are going to have a solid run at a championship this year. I couldn't be happier to be leading the charge for this formidable effort."

Keating has driven in two past Rolex 24 races with the team, and he is a two-time SRT Viper Cup champion.

In Faulkner, TRG gets a two-time Porsche Supercup championship runner-up and two-time champion in the Great Britain's Porsche Carrera Cup. The Northern Irishman has 13 ALMS starts with GTC victories at Sebring and Long Beach. Five of his six class pole positions came in 2012, and he has four fastest race laps in his ALMS career.

“There is nothing much better than having the real opportunity to stand on the podium at the top level of sports car racing in North America," Keating said. “I expect great competition and I love a challenge. Damien and I will have a great time this season. TRG knows how to win. We have a great team, a brand new car, a great driver lineup, and all the ingredients to win the championship. What else can you ask for?"

All three drivers are set to take part in the ALMS' annual Winter Test on Feb. 7-8 at Sebring International Raceway. The season opens with the 61stt Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 16.